Dust-cap for vehicle-hubs.



No. 78,732. Patented Nov. |8, l9l1l2. J. E. BEEBE.

DUST GAP FOR VEHICLE HUBS.

(Application file d Mar. 25, 1902.;

lJNTTnn STATES PATE T ()FFICE.

JOSEPH E. BEEBE, OF HARLAN, IOWA.

DUST-CAP FOR VEHlCLE-HUBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,732, dated November 18, 1902.

Application filed March 25, 1902. Serial No. 99,978. (No model.)

To (tZZ whovn it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. BEEBE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Harlan, in the county of Shelby and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dust-Caps for Vehicle-Hubs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,-and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to a d ust or sand cap or guard for preventing access of dirt, sand, mud, and other foreign materials to the hubs of vehicle-wheels, and has for its object to provide a simple, cheap, and easily-applied device of this character which will effectually close the inner end of the hub against the entry of substances liable to cause wear or injury to the box and spindle and guniming or caking of the lubricant.

The invention further has for its object the provision of means for absorbing all excess oil Working out at the rear of the hub and preventing rattling of the parts when a vehicle equipped with the invention is in use.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

\Vhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an axle-arm and wheel-hub, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the axle, showing the cap in rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a detail View of the cap removed. Fig. 5 is a View of the washer.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents the angular end or arm of the vehicle-axle of ordinary construction, which is provided with the usual collar or shoulder 2 and spindle 3, and 4' represents the hub ofa vehicle-wheel, which turns on said spindle.

The cap 4 is cup-shaped to inclose the inner end of the hub and has a portion removed to form a slot 5, which opens at one point through its periphery. This slot is of such size as to enable the cap to be fitted on the squared or angular portion of the axle immediately in rear of the shoulder 2, and the inner and side walls of the slot are adapted to bear against three sides of the said squared portion of the axle. The flange of the cap fits about the inner end of the wheelhub sufficiently close without touching to prevent access to the space between the skein and spindle of mud, sand, dirt, and other foreign substances or particles of sufficientsize to produce a grinding action and causeinj uryto the parts and caking of the oil or lubricant and is gaged in proper relative position by the shoulder2. The open portionoftherimorperiphery ofthe cap is closed by a snugly'fitting removable section 5, which also closes the outer end of the slot or opening 5 and is provided with a cross bar or head 7, adapted to bear against the side of the squared portion of the axle opposite the inner end wall of said slot and to exert a clamping action thereon to hold the cap in place. The said removable section is secured in position by bolts 8, passing through eyes 9 and 10 on the cap and crossbar, and nutsll, fitted on said bolts, by the adjustment of which the cross-bar'7 is engaged with the axle to clamp the cap. When the cap is thus applied, it will be seen that access of dust, grit, and mud to the hub will be effectually prevented and the parts protected from undue wear.

A disk or washer 12, formed of felt or other suitable absorbent material, is arranged within the cap and fitted about the axle. The function of this washer is to take up or absorb any excess oil or grease which may work out at the inner end of the hub, together with any fine particles of dirt which may enter through the small space or crevice between the cap and hub. The Washer also acts as an antirattler to prevent the hub from coming in direct contact with the body of the cap and creating objectionable noise.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of use, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, and it will be seen that a simple, cheap,

and efiective device for the stated provided.

Ohangesin the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination with an axle and hub, of a cup-shaped cap inclosing the inner end of the hub and bearing against the shoulder at the inner end of the axle-spindle, said cap having a slot in its body portion and opening through its rim by which it is adapted to be fitted on the rectangular portion of the axle, knuckles formed upon opposite sides of said slot having eyes therein, a removable section closing the opening in the rim and a portion of the slot and having a clamping-head, the latter having eyes formed therein to register with the eyes of the aforesaid knuckles, and fastenings adapted to pass through the corresponding eyes of the cap and removable section to clamp the inner wall of the head and inner end wall of the slot against opposite sides of the axle, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with an axle and hub, of a cup-shaped cap inclosing the inner end purpose is I of the hub and bearing against the shoulder at the inner end of the axle-spindle, said cap having a slot in its body portion and opening through its -rin1 by which it is adapted to be fitted on the rectangular portion of the axle, knuckles formed upon opposite sides of said slot having eyes therein, said knuckles being cut away a portion of their length to form bearing-surfaces for contact with the axle, a removable section closing the opening in the rim and a portion of the slot and having a clamping-head, the latter having eyes formed thereon to register with eyes of the knuckles of the cap and fastenings adapted to pass through the corresponding eyes of the cap and removable section to clamp the inner wall of the head and inner end wall of the slot against the sides of the axle, also to clamp the cut-away portions of the knuckles of the cap against opposite sides of the axle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of witnesses.

JOSEPH E. BEEBE. [L. 8.] Witnesses:

G. HAMM, IRA WARNER, W. B. ROWLAND. 

